The journey to healing after an abusive relationship often involves redefining freedom in one’s life. Two distinct but complementary types of freedom, freedom to and freedom from, can help reshape one’s path forward. While "freedom from" focuses on liberation from past limitations, "freedom to" highlights the newly opened doors for personal growth and self-expression. In a post-abuse context, these two freedoms offer different but equally empowering opportunities.

Low self-esteem can create patterns of behaviour that sabotage relationships, making it difficult to experience healthy love and connection. In this article, I’ll explore ten common mistakes people with low self-esteem make in relationships and offer two journal prompts with each to foster healing and self-awareness.

Abuse is not always obvious, especially in intimate relationships where manipulation and emotional tactics are often at play. To break free from the confusion that abuse creates, it can be helpful to understand what drives the abuser's actions. At their core, many abusive behaviours stem from three fundamental needs: the need to feed their ego, the need to feed their narcissism, and the need to maintain control. Recognising these needs in your partner’s behaviour can offer clarity and help you realise that what you are experiencing is not love—it is abuse.

In the journey of life, we absorb ideas, beliefs, and behaviours from the people and environments we encounter. But not all of these influences serve us well. Some subtly creep in, shaping the way we view ourselves, others, and the world. Over time, these negative influences can become heavy burdens, quietly driving decisions and reinforcing unhelpful patterns. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we intentionally living life on our terms, or are we letting negative influences shape the path we walk?

When a woman leaves an abusive relationship, her journey to healing is both courageous and complex. However, one of the most insidious obstacles many women face during recovery is victim blaming—the harmful belief that the victim is somehow responsible for the abuse she experienced. Victim blaming not only adds unnecessary shame and guilt but can also stall or derail the healing process, making it harder for survivors to rebuild their self-worth. This article explores the damaging effects of victim blaming and offers practical advice on how women can reject these attacks, reclaim their narratives, and embrace healing unapologetically.

When I married my abuser, he promised me amazing celebrations for our anniversary and my birthday, convincing me to get married the day after my birthday. I thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate the two biggest milestones in my life, all wrapped into one beautiful package. But instead of joy, he stole that celebration from me, taking his girlfriend on our honeymoon trip to Paris.

After leaving an abusive relationship—whether with a partner, family member, or friend—many survivors face an emotional challenge that isn't often discussed: toxic nostalgia. This is when the abuser reappears, often through hoovering or love-bombing, attempting to sweep you back into their control with affection, promises, or manipulated memories of “better times.” They create a haze around the very real reasons you walked away, trying to lure you back into the cycle of abuse. Here's how to recognize toxic nostalgia and stay strong in your resolve to maintain your freedom and peace.

When you're on a journey to rebuild your life after experiencing abuse, one of the core elements you'll likely focus on is self-esteem. It's often described as the foundation of confidence and personal growth. However, self-esteem is surrounded by many myths and misconceptions that can make it seem elusive or even unattainable. In this post, we'll explore some of these myths, debunk the idea of a "one-size-fits-all" approach to confidence, and offer a more personalized perspective on building self-esteem.

Anxiety is often perceived as a nuisance, a mental state we desperately want to avoid or eliminate. However, what if we viewed anxiety as a protector, a part of ourselves that signals when we feel unsafe? This perspective can shift how we understand and manage anxiety, transforming it from an enemy to a guide.

When people think of love, they often imagine a deep connection, mutual respect, and a sense of safety and security. However, what happens when that "love" repeatedly leads to pain, frustration, and disappointment? The truth is, sometimes what we believe to be love is not love at all—it's a pattern.

Blake Lively's statement, "You are so much more than just a survivor or just a victim. And what someone has done to you doesn't define you. You define you," captures a powerful truth for women who have experienced domestic violence and are ready to step into their new chapter. While the trauma you have endured is significant and life-altering, it does not have to be the defining feature of your identity. Moving beyond the label of "victim" is crucial for women who want to reclaim their lives and create a future they love.

-On your journey of healing from an abusive, toxic or high-conflict relationship, it's easy to get caught up in labelling. You might feel compelled to identify your abuser as a narcissist or yourself as codependent or empathetic. While these labels can provide some initial clarity about what happened to you, they are not essential for healing. In fact, they might even hinder your progress by keeping you trapped in a cycle of defining yourself through the lens of the past. Instead of focusing on labels, a more empowering approach is to ask yourself two simple yet profound questions: What do you want more of in your life? And what do you want less of in your life?